Make Mental Health Part of Your Regular Care
Timothy Gaul, DO, is a primary care doctor at McKeesport’s
Latterman Family Health Center, a UPMC-affiliated primary
care practice that also is a residency training center for
future family doctors. He says that on any given day, about
half of the patients he sees have a diagnosed or underlying
mental health issue.
Dr. Gaul says younger patients tend to be more
comfortable raising mental health concerns. Older adults
— particularly men — are more likely to talk about the
symptoms they’re having, such as being tired or having
low energy.
“Our practice focuses on whole-person health and
preventive medicine, helping our patients live a healthy
lifestyle,” says Dr. Gaul. “Mental illness impacts your overall
health and well-being. It’s no different than other health
problems like diabetes or heart disease, so we need to
treat it.”
Latterman Family Health Center includes family doctors
with dual board certification in psychiatry, as well as
licensed social workers. “We’re able to provide onsite
mental health support and counseling for patients,” says
Dr. Gaul.
He believes the best results come through a combination
of both medicine and therapy. “Medicine can help
you gain focus, settle down, or sleep better,” he says.
“But counseling brings the critical insights needed to
understand and address the root of your struggle.”
Other Resources for Help
Mental illness does not discriminate, affecting people of
every age, race, and income level. But many residents
of low-income communities like the Mon Valley region
face added economic and social problems such as
unemployment, high crime rates, food insecurity, poor
transportation, and lack of health insurance — all of which
are connected to poor mental health outcomes.
On average, people go 11 years before being treated
for mental health problems. Dr. Bernstein encourages
McKeesport/Mon Valley area residents to not delay getting
help. He suggests reaching out to your family doctor or
these community resources for help:
UPMC McKeesport
· Emergency care for patients experiencing a mental
health crisis, offered in collaboration with UPMC Western
Psychiatric Hospital
· Inpatient drug and alcohol treatment for patients who
have a substance disorder and a complex medical
problem (such as heart disease or cancer)
Latterman Family Health Center
(A UPMC Affiliated Primary Care Practice)
· Mental and primary health care services for McKeesport
area residents of all ages
· Appointments can be scheduled at 412-673-5504
resolve Crisis Services
· A 24-hour, 365-day free crisis service for residents of
Allegheny County. Services are sponsored by Allegheny
County and UPMC Western Psychiatric Hospital
· Services include a hotline; mobile crisis team; and
treatment, interventions and home visits for children
and teens
· For crisis help, call 888-7-YOU-CAN (795-8226)
· For non-urgent assistance call 412-864-5004
· Outpatient support for patients with mental health,
substance use and behavioral health issues
· Outpatient therapy, residential support, vocational
training and supported employment, in-school
prevention and treatment programs, and psychosocial
rehabilitation
For more information, please visit
UPMCMcKeesport.com
Mon Yough Community Services (A UPMC Affiliate)